Tim Sylvia set to box Ray Mercer, Affliction bout possible
by John Morgan on Feb 25, 2009 at 6:55 pm ET
In his first action since a July 2008 loss to Fedor Emelianenko, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia will face Ray Mercer in the main event of Adrenaline MMA III.

First reported as a possible bout by Fiveouncesofpain.com, Sylvia's manager and Adrenaline MMA promoter Monte Cox today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Sylvia vs. Mercer will be headlining the May 30 event at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

While first pitched as an MMA contest, Sylvia (24-5 MMA, 0-0 Boxing) will instead turn in his open-fingered gloves for a pair of boxing mitts.

"I was doing Tim Sylvia against Ray Mercer as a headliner," Cox said. "First I was doing it in MMA. We changed and thought it would be a lot more interesting in boxing."

Mercer (36-7-1 Boxing) began boxing professionally in 1989. Now 47-years-old, Mercer last fought in a majority decision win over Richel Hersisia (30-2 boxing).

"In boxing, who knows who is going to win," Cox said. "Mercer just beat a guy who is 30-2. He was ranked fifth in Europe and Mercer just beat him."

Mercer fought Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title in 2002 and lost via sixth-round TKO. "Merciless" has gone 6-2 since that bout, including four wins by knockout or TKO.

"You just have no idea who is going to win," Cox said. "I don't care if he's 47 (years old). He's been boxing his whole life, won an Olympic gold medal, went to split decision with Lennox Lewis. Believe me, he's going to hit hard. Tim's going to have a hard time."

Mercer is best-known by many MMA fans for his June 2007 submission loss in an exhibition bout with Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson.

Despite having one event remaining on a broadcast contract with HDNet, Adrenaline's third event will not be shown on the network that carried the organization's first two outings.

"It won't be on HDNet," Cox said. "I still have a deal left. But (HDNet Fights CEO) Andrew Simon decided that he didn't want to do that show."

Instead, Cox will look to broadcast the event with an alternate partner.

"I've got another group that put together a deal with me where it would be available in 55 million homes and another one that's up to 70 million homes," Cox said. "I'll do one of those two."

Cox said that there were not yet any other finalized bouts for the card, but that he plans on Adrenaline MMA III being "a good East Coast card."

As for Sylvia, "The Maine-iac" may also be looking to break his recent two-fight slide in a potential return to MMA action at Affliction's as-yet-unannounced third show.

Sources close to the bout have indicated to MMAjunkie.com that Paul Buentello could be in line for Sylvia. Cox said the bout was possible, but that Sylvia's participation would depend on the date Affliction elects to hold its event.

"I've been in discussion with them for that," Cox said. "A lot depends on what the date ends up being. Obviously we're doing May 30. If [Affliction's next show] is in July, we're definitely interested."

Country Breakfast

02-26-2009, 01:33 AM

Sylvia is gonna get Ko'd IMO.

Llamafighter

02-26-2009, 02:01 AM

Sylvia is gonna get Ko'd IMO.

This is very dangerous for Tim. I think his jab will be the difference maker, but it could go horribly wrong for Big T.

County Mike

02-26-2009, 02:32 AM

If things start going bad for Tim, a swift kick to the head should level the playing field. He can always claim it was an accidental reaction.

Hughes_GOAT

02-26-2009, 03:41 AM

ok, it just got interesting

atomdanger

02-26-2009, 04:17 AM

Ray Mercer is 47, this is horrible.

Chuck

02-26-2009, 04:22 AM

Ray Mercer is 47, this is horrible.
And Tim sucks....

It should be.. interesting???

I won't be at all surprised it Ray takes this....

MattHughesRocks

02-26-2009, 05:01 AM

You suck.

And Tim sucks....

It should be.. interesting???

I won't be at all surprised it Ray takes this....

Chuck

02-26-2009, 05:03 AM

You suck.

Pervert.

KENTUCKYREDBONE

03-02-2009, 10:32 PM

This should be harder for Big T than an MMA match with him would be! Just cause Mercer is 47 don't count him out completely!

Hughes_GOAT

03-02-2009, 11:01 PM

This should be harder for Big T than an MMA match with him would be! Just cause Mercer is 47 don't count him out completely!

Mercer is like the Natural, Randy Couture :ninja:

KENTUCKYREDBONE

03-04-2009, 05:38 PM

Mercer is like the Natural, Randy Couture :ninja:

Don't know! But big T is entering Mercers world! While Mercer should be the underdog I ain't gonna completely count him out!

J.B.

03-04-2009, 07:26 PM

Mercer the underdog? In a Boxing match? You have got to be joking. :laugh:

Yeah he is 47, but they say the last thing to go is strength, and Mercer was always a bull. If Tim wins this, I won't be afraid to call it a work.

County Mike

03-04-2009, 07:44 PM

Mercer is only 47? He looked at least 65 when he fought Kimbo.

Mercer is there for a paycheck. Count on that. He will not show up in any kind of shape. Unless he knocks Big Tim out in the first round, he'll likely gas out and get wrecked.

J.B.

03-04-2009, 07:47 PM

Unless he knocks Big Tim out in the first round, he'll likely gas out and get wrecked.

I don't know about that, how many rounds is the fight?

I do agree that Mercer is most likely doing this for the money, but Tim? What happens to Tim if he gets KO'd by Mercer in 10oz gloves?

Can you say "career killer"? :laugh:

Crisco

03-04-2009, 08:24 PM

I don't know about that, how many rounds is the fight?

I do agree that Mercer is most likely doing this for the money, but Tim? What happens to Tim if he gets KO'd by Mercer in 10oz gloves?

Can you say "career killer"? :laugh:

I don't think Tim cares anymore. Why else make this fight? Why try and make a Shamrock fight?

Tim is done and it makes me sad.

Miss Jenn if you speak to him please tell him he is still good enough to not be a sell out freak show yet.

Chuck

03-04-2009, 08:33 PM

I don't know about that, how many rounds is the fight?

I do agree that Mercer is most likely doing this for the money, but Tim? What happens to Tim if he gets KO'd by Mercer in 10oz gloves?

Can you say "career killer"? :laugh:

IF and I do say IF Ray is actually there to fight... then he takes this... if he's just in it for a quick paycheck like some of Tysons opponents... then Tim gets the win.

Jason 16

03-04-2009, 09:54 PM

IF and I do say IF Ray is actually there to fight... then he takes this... if he's just in it for a quick paycheck like some of Tysons opponents... then Tim gets the win.

yea ray is not over the hill yet he has beaten a couple of good fighter lately or at least had good records

J.B.

03-04-2009, 10:38 PM

IF and I do say IF Ray is actually there to fight... then he takes this... if he's just in it for a quick paycheck like some of Tysons opponents... then Tim gets the win.

Which Tyson opponents are you speaking of?

Holyfield? :laugh:

rearnakedchoke

03-04-2009, 11:00 PM

good nite tim .... bad move .... mercer by KO

Jeff Crow

03-05-2009, 01:14 AM

:ninja:

Hughes_GOAT

03-05-2009, 01:39 AM

well if Mercer still looks at least 50% like he did at his best.....he should be able to win. Tim's boxing isn't pro level. Tim's jab will give Mercer some problems if he's out of shape but other than that, i just don't see Tim hurting Ray.

Chuck

03-05-2009, 02:25 AM

Which Tyson opponents are you speaking of?

Holyfield? :laugh:

Oh c'mon brother.... you know quite a few of his opponents were half beat by Mike's reputation alone long before they started the fight...

Mike had more then one "phantom" KO's....

Who was that dude he fought right out of prison.. Peter somebody.... Mcneely??

J.B.

03-05-2009, 02:53 AM

Oh c'mon brother.... you know quite a few of his opponents were half beat by Mike's reputation alone long before they started the fight...

Mike had more then one "phantom" KO's....

Who was that dude he fought right out of prison.. Peter somebody.... Mcneely??

Oh I know, I was just giving you some crap.

The McNeely fight was BAD, but that was also AFTER he got out of jail. That was a time when you would expect that kind of thing. Those early fights were great though, even if the guys were spoon-fed.

Chuck

03-05-2009, 03:02 AM

Oh I know, I was just giving you some crap.

Oh thank God!!!!!

I'm a Tyson fan and I know you are too but I thought you were serious!!